For me, hilarious as it was, this show wasn't even a laughing matter ! When I was growing up, this is EXACTLY what my mother was like; a working-class oik desperately trying to 'better' herself, not realizing everyone could see straight through it like an open book ! (Funnily enough she's from suburban Northampton where this was shot; no coincidence in my opinion !) As her son, I know exactly how Richard felt in this show; a persistent mascot of a non-existing social sector, tormented with demands of 'perfection' and 'superiority'! I mean, in the same way Mrs. bucket pronounces brochure 'broshere' and expects people to be convinced she's the aristocracy, my parents bought some second-hand Dorchester Hotel glasses - think the 'D' logo with laurel wreath - and thought people would mistake them for the (non-existent) family Crest ! (My surname is Ducker)
Anyway, enough about myself, that Patricia Routledge was superb as arrogant Mrs. Bucket, while Mary Millar, Judy Cornwell (think Mrs. Claus in Santa Claus Movie !) + Geoffrey Hughes were brilliant as the oik slob relatives ! The banal suburban setting reflected the reality of the socio-cultural orientation perfectly ! The humour at worst mediocre, but at best BLOODY HYSTERICAL ! ! They don't make this sort of comedy anymore, but thankfully I believe it still bets repeats on UK TV !
Anyway, enough about myself, that Patricia Routledge was superb as arrogant Mrs. Bucket, while Mary Millar, Judy Cornwell (think Mrs. Claus in Santa Claus Movie !) + Geoffrey Hughes were brilliant as the oik slob relatives ! The banal suburban setting reflected the reality of the socio-cultural orientation perfectly ! The humour at worst mediocre, but at best BLOODY HYSTERICAL ! ! They don't make this sort of comedy anymore, but thankfully I believe it still bets repeats on UK TV !